Mary Jo Sharp - Why I Still Believe: A Former Atheist’s Reckoning with the Bad Reputation Christians Give a Good God

In Why I Still Believe , Mary Jo Sharp describes her journey as a believer and Christian apologist, retracing experiences that will help you grow in your faith and understanding. If youve ever struggled with uncertainty, the ugliness of hypocrisy, or the ever-present problem of pain and suffering, this book will help you understand the messy nature of life as a Christian from the perspective of a winsome and thoughtful defender of the faith.

J. Warner Wallace,Dateline -featured cold-case detective, senior fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola, author of Cold-Case Christianity , and creator of the Case Makers Academy for Kids

This book is Mary Jo at her most personalwitty, smart, genuine. She walks her readers through the story of her conversion to Christianity after having grown up in a thoroughly nonreligious West Coast culture... and afterward the shock of being hit by a host of second thoughts, doubts, and questions. She describes the secular claims and counterclaims she found herself having to work through after her conversion and gives insight into the personal challenges of encountering church culture for the first time as an adult, surprised by its frequent small-mindedness and anti-intellectualism. Mary Jo gives an honest, even raw, account of the doubts and questions even Christians may still have and guides them through to real answers.

Nancy Pearcey, author of Total Truth and Love Thy Body

Why I Still Believe is a masterfully written book. Mary Jo shares her journey from atheist to influential apologist, and many of the lessons she learns along the way. Its a fun, unique, and thought-provoking book.

Sean McDowell, PhD, professor at Biola University, author or coauthor of over eighteen books, including Evidence that Demands a Verdict

Mary Jo Sharp tells her fascinating Christian story with candor and color. Hers is a pilgrimage of bold, no-nonsense explorationone that is filled with honest questions, frank conversations, and a spirit of wonder. She reminds us that a thoughtful faith in Christ can withstand severe scrutiny as well as open our lives to new horizons and paths of delight.

Paul Copan, Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics, Palm Beach Atlantic University, and author of A Little Book for New Philosophers

If youve ever been hurt or disappointed by the church, then youll relate to Mary Jo Sharps candid account. If youre looking for inspiration to move past your pain and keep growing in your faith, then youll love her redemptive journey. This book is unflinchingly honest; unfailingly hopeful.

Mark Mittelberg, best-selling author of Becoming a Contagious Christian and The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (With Answers)

I am grateful for Mary Jos friendship and her willingness to tackle tough questions and wrestle them through to a biblical solution. I also know, after having grown up in the church and having been a pastors wife for almost four decades, that the church is not perfect. But the church is the bride of Christ, and he is perfecting her and getting her ready for his return. Join Mary Jo as she journeys through the pain of imperfect people to the only perfect oneJesus Christ! I too still believe!

Donna Gaines, pastors wife, Bellevue Baptist Church, Memphis, Tennessee, and author, Bible teacher

Mary Jo was my graduate student, so the minute her story arrived, I began consuming it. Then I saw the chapter title, Lessons from a Sociopath and an Ex-Muslim. Wow! Now whos going to stop, especially since both fellows were also grad students? Well, I was not disappointed. Try to stop reading. A new world will open before your eyes.

Gary R. Habermas, distinguished research professor and chair, department of philosophy, Liberty University

I meet many people who are attracted to Jesus but are put off by the church and the behavior of Christians. Why I Still Believe is a powerful and honest response to that challenge. Mary Jo Sharp weaves together her powerful story of her own journey from atheism to faith with the stumbling blocks that Christians sometimes put in her way. Unafraid of facing real issues head on, but always responding with generosity, grace, and hope, Why I Still Believe is a challenge to the church to do better, a fascinating insight into a skeptics journey to Christ, and a great resource for friends who are drawn to Jesus but suspicious of those who bear his name.

Dr. Andy Bannister, director, Solas Centre for Public Christianity and adjunct speaker, Ravi Zacharias International Ministries

ZONDERVAN

Why I Still Believe

Copyright 2019 by Mary Jo Sharp

Requests for information should be addressed to:

Zondervan, 3900 Sparks Dr. SE, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49546

Zondervan titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fundraising, or promotional use. For information, please email SpecialMarkets@Zondervan.com

ISBN 978-0-310-35386-7 (softcover)

ISBN 978-0-310-35389-8 (audio)

ISBN 978-0-310-35388-1 (ebook)

Epub Edition September 2019 9780310353881

Some names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version , NIV . Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.Zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Any internet addresses (websites, blogs, etc.) and telephone numbers in this book are offered as a resource. They are not intended in any way to be or imply an endorsement by Zondervan, nor does Zondervan vouch for the content of these sites and numbers for the life of this book.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published in association with the literary agency of Mark Sweeney & Associates, Naples, Florida 34113.

Cover design: James W. Hall IV

Cover photo: gruizza/Getty Images

Interior design: Denise Froehlich

Printed in the United States of America

19 20 21 22 23 LSC 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Information about External Hyperlinks in this ebook

Please note that the endnotes in this ebook may contain hyperlinks to external websites as part of bibliographic citations. These hyperlinks have not been activated by the publisher, who cannot verify the accuracy of these links beyond the date of publication

This book is dedicated to all the Treebeards,

who find no one on their side.

IN MEMORY OF

My dad, Robert Prall, 19382016

My friend, Nabeel Qureshi, 19832017